VIOLENCE MARS FIRST PHASE OF LOK SABHA POLLS IN INNER MANIPUR PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

Horrifying scenes of gunshots, unprecedented violence, destruction of EVM machines, reports of booths capturing, threat and intimidation of voters using muscle power marred the first phase of polls in the Meiteis’ valley of Imphal.

A war-like situation occurred in most of the polling stations as a result of mass booth capturing by the private militia groups; Arambai Tenggol, Meitei Leepun and others.

Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency has been talibanized with armed gangs of Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun running the show, brandishing sophisticated weapons inside the polling booths amid stringent security measures. The law enforcing agencies have no option but to remain mute spectators, thus giving free hand to the cadres of the militia groups.

Complete chaos prevailed in the Meiteis’ valley and tranquility of the polling process was shattered when gunfire erupted at a polling station in Thamanpokpi, located under Moirang AC in Bishnupur district. Reports indicated that the disturbing incident resulted when the Arambai Tenggol captured the polling booth. Violence ensued, thus resulting in at least three casualties.

In addition to the violence in Thamanpokpi, reports have emerged of vandalism at a polling station under Thongju AC in Imphal East. This act of destruction has raised concerns about the safety and integrity of the electoral process, prompting security forces to mobilise and restore order.

Indeed, the Arambai Tenggol and militant groups have been interfering in the election at various places since voting began today. These armed groups have also reportedly intimidated voters outside polling stations.

In one instance, two heavily armed militants were seen running amidst the presence of a large number of civilians, while Manipur police personnel present at the scene remained mute spectators. In another instance, an IPS officer was seen being complained to by the INC candidate over their inaction regarding a commotion that occurred between armed groups at a polling station in the Bishnupur district.

In Thongju Assembly constituency, approximately 20 individuals in camouflage attires arrived at polling station 5/31, located at the National Children’s School, Khongman Zone 4. Voting at Polling Station 5/32, at Khongman zone 5 Community Hall, was also disrupted following interference by armed goons. When the voters of the area came to cast their votes, it was learned that the individuals in camouflage had already done mass proxy voting. The irate people later engaged in a heated argument with the polling officials and destroyed the EVM machine. At around 9:30 AM, voters of polling station 5/32 also seized the EVM machine and destroyed it.

Voting at Polling Station 5/32 was later resumed at around 2 PM however, no confirmation of the same on Polling Station 5/31. The Superintendent of Police (SP) of Imphal East, and Assistant Returning Officers of Kshtrigao and Thongju, arrived at the scene and took stock of the situation. Reports on social media indicated that capturing booths underway until late night till 10:00 PM in Thongju Constituency.

Voting at Polling station 4/44 Bamon Kampu under Kshetrigao Assembly constituency was disrupted following interference by goons of Arambai Tenggol. According to the Presiding Officer of the Polling Station, armed goons numbering around 20 came inside the Polling Booth and captured the EVM. Later, the armed goons threatened the voters who came out for voting. Angered over the action of the armed goons, the locals gathered and protested the incident prompting them to destroy the EVM machine. The Presiding officer reported the matter to the CEO.

At Arapti in Keirao Assembly constituency, armed militants disrupted voting at polling station 6/12. At least 6 persons, including a female voter, were reported injured after the armed goons assaulted them for protesting against their booth capturing. At around 9:30 AM, voting at the polling station came to a halt but later resumed after the situation was normalized by security forces. There are also reports of disruptions at polling station 10/1.

EVM machines at polling stations 10/6 and 10/7, located at Iroishemba Mamang Leikai under the Uripok Assembly constituency in Imphal West district, were also vandalized by irate voters who were denied voting by armed goons.

At Polling Station 3/11 opened at Sajet (A) Moirang Kampu under Khurai Assembly Constituency a, 75 year old person who came out to vote sustained bullet injury after the Arambai Tenggol goons, who came to capture the Polling station, fired rounds of gunshots after they were confronted by the locals of the area.

“5 armed men who came in a car entered the Polling station. They came out after some time, after which the local voters were confronted with a heavy exchange of words. While the local youth chased them away, the armed militants fired towards the civilians; thus, injuring a 75-year-old man”, a woman who witnessed the incident told media persons. The injured person was then evacuated to Raj Medicity Hospital.

Report said that voting at the Polling Station 3/11 has been disrupted after angry locals destroyed the documents related to the election. According to the Presiding Officer, the confrontation occurred after the armed goons tried to pull up the Booth Agent of the Congress party from inside the Polling Station. A hectic confrontation broke out between a police officer and INC candidate Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, at Kyamgei Heibong Makhong High School in the Keirao assembly constituency over purported failure to address a complaint lodged by one of Bimol Akoijam’s agents.

The incident reflected tensions regarding perceived lapses in security intervention, adding to the charged atmosphere surrounding the electoral process.

There were also reports of election-related violence at various places, including Thongjao, Elang Khangpokpi, etc., in Kakching district. The Arambai Tenggol goons fired several rounds of bullets in Sugnu areas thus disrupting the poll process.

Mention may be made that the Arambai Tenggol goons had openly canvassed votes for the BJP candidate, Th. Bashanta Singh. There has been a report of tacit support to the armed private militia groups from the incumbent Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh and his political cohorts. As there has been a complete breakdown of law and order in Imphal Valley, evident from the above cited events, the need for re-imposition of AFSPA in the Meiteis’ Kangleipak is of utmost importance to maintain control over the armed radical groups and VBIGs who has literally taken the law into their hands.